My front yard retaining wall had nearly collapsed when I reached out to Sal. The level of proffessional service I recieved right from the start was truly exceptional.
The transformation of my front yard post completion of this project was amazing. Sal was also able to wrap up the work quickly and work around my schedule without impacting the final quality.

Thank you for this positive review. I really enjoyed installing your landscape. It's always nice when a client has the same taste and chooses natural materials, in this case the eramosa stone Retaining wall and steps are a thing of beauty.

Under the Sun Ecological Landscaping did some work for us in the spring of 2014 to regrade our backyard and replace a very unusual front walkway made of brick chips. The regrade of the backyard was a necessary follow-up to a basement waterproofing.

When we purchased our house, the backyard was covered in flagstones and graded towards the house, with water continuously infiltrating into the basement. We asked Sal and the crew at Ecological Landscaping to take up the flagstones in the back, regrade the yard away from the house, and use some of the flagstones to replace the "brick chips" walkway in the front. We also wanted a bit of grass, a small garden shed and a flower bed around the tree in the backyard.

The did all of this beautifully, adjusting their design in back to accommodate the roots of our maple tree with a lovely curve. The hid and buried the pipe from the basement sump pump so it waters this tree. They also used some of the flagstones to build a platform for our garbage and recycling containers and a path to our shed.

Our basement is dry. The front walkway and stone steps received many compliments from neighbours as they are much more functional and add curb appeal to our house. The shade plants we put in back around the tree filled in this spring. We love to sit on our deck or at our kitchen table and enjoy our beautiful green yard with its Solomon Seal and may apples.

We are very, very pleased with the finished job and give Under the Sun Ecological Landscaping a 10 out of 10. They were easy to work with, listened to what we wanted and thoughtful about all aspects of the work, such as situating the pipe from the sump pump and respecting the roots of the tree.

The work has also been approved by the local squirrels, raccoons and worms.

Jenny,
I know you have been trying to get this review posted for some time now, Thank you for persisting and getting it submitted! It is a great review. The work was done with ease, you truly do have a serene spot on the planet. Very nice to help you bring it closer to its full potential. You guys were really good to us and easygoing, Thank you for that. I look forward to working with you both again on your front yard project which is in the works.

It's so difficult to find a good contractor…A contractor that you can trust…

I had a "good" feeling from the start, when I met with Salvador ("Sal") and, for sure, he didn't let us down…

After going through a two story addition at the back, the backyard looked as if we would have landed in Mars…Very unwelcoming and hostile, more so because twice the basement got flooded trough the backyard…

The water came from the back alley and so, tackling the backyard's landscaping was not only matter of creating a place where we would enjoy and relax; we needed this backyard to "work with us"….

Salvador and his team (Patrick, Steven, Osvaldo and Kio) made our dream come true. They gave us solutions to all the challenges that this backyard presented to us in a very "ecological" manner…Meaning…I like nature,…I like trees,…I like "green"….and a "green" space that would protect us against "the elements" (rain…lots of it…) is what this team delivered. This backyard is also practical and a true extension of our home.

Not only we feel that the job has been done incredibly well (finishes included) but, it looks wonderful!!! It does provide so much pleasure to my eyes looking at it. It is serene…Birds are coming already into our backyard - saw a couple of Robins and Cardinals!

It's, obviously, not finished completely since the "greenery" has to be added …We want to plant a tree and some vines that would cover the pergola…but, with a bit of imagination whoever cares to take a look to these photos can "envision" the "secluded garden nook" that I always wanted…

I thank Salvador and his team SOOOOOO much for the work well done!
Dallas and Teresa

Dallas and Teresa,
Thank you so much for this wonderful review. But more importantly, Thank you guys for being such nice people to work with!

I feel sorry for the many months (years) of renovations you've had to endure and at times negative experiences with contractors. I am happy and satisfied that you found us and that we were able to help you move into a new and exciting stage in your reno sagas!

Thank you for choosing us to bring your outdoor vision into reality, and for having the faith in us despite your past experiences. I'm very happy we came through for you! It does frustrate me to hear and see many people dealing with the consequences of rushed, poor quality work.

In terms of the landscape we've created with your vision and our installation, I love it. I love that it has that laid back, Spanish / Latin American hang out under shady vines feel - with a good balance of simplicity and formality in the pergola / Trellis design. And just in time for summer!

I love the trellises and how you chose to integrate them around the pergolas. I am excited to see what you will choose to plant and am looking forward to seeing more pictures down the road when the greenery takes off.

I think the custom built shed turned out great. Again, your preference for simple but character filled items like the recycled wood door and reclaimed windows is right up my alley. I think this is the way to go over factory stamped generic items that often all look the same.

I hope the screens and cedar hedge perimeter do a good job of creating privacy for you. We can always come back and add additional screen(s) for privacy if need be, so just let me know.

"We are extremely happy with the work you and your crew have
done for us. From the initial design where you suggested
ideas we had not considered to the finishing touches of
ensuring that the site was clean of debris.

The result has turned out better than what we had imagined.
Definite 10 out of 10.

Thank you very much for this positive review. It was an easy process working with you both. I appreciate that you were decisive and at times flexible, when for example the stock available at the stone yard limited initial selection of imitation flagstone available.
In terms of the design, I love that you guys wanted to integrate the flagstone patio into the existing cedar tree. That's the way to do it! Use what's there if you can. Now you instantly have a beautiful shaded summer seating area.
The raised beds with curving walls really worked out well with the curving/round patio edge.
Thanks again for the review, and overall for being such easy going folks!
- Sal.

I contacted "Under the Sun" landscaping to help us with some much needed hardscaping in our dreary, unkempt backyard. I didn't know exactly what I wanted (deck vs. patio, new shed vs. refurbished shed) so I wanted an ecologically sensitive company which would work with me to hone my vision and to give me sound advice on what would and wouldn't work in terms of practicality and environmental impact. Well, "Under the Sun" did not disappoint! From the beginning Sal was very receptive to my ideas and had lots of suggestions of his own. He drafted a basic design which I quite liked and then we were able to go back and forth about the specifics. I had LOTS of questions and Sal answered all of them with patience and in-depth knowledge. Eventually we settled on a brand new cedar fence, a cedar deck and a refurbished shed with a living roof. But Sal didn't just concern himself with the aesthetics of the project; he ensured that things like water drainage and the underpinnings of the deck where it attached to the house were addressed as well.
We were excited to get home each evening to see the progress being made by the crew. And when the fence finally went up we were not disappointed! It's beautiful and gives us just the right level of privacy we were looking for. The deck is also lovely and Sal even came back to do a little sanding when he felt one of the boards wasn't quite smooth enough. The shed was transformed from a water-damaged, crumbling eyesore into a charming, cottage-like structure with a window, new wood cladding and a stunning living roof. We still get a kick out of showing it off to our friends!
Throughout the process Sal was very good about communication and about addressing all our niggling concerns. He even gave us advice on things that were out of his purview but of which he wanted us to be aware, like some possible foundation issues. And he has made suggestions for how we might want to go about installing native plants, trees, etc. And, even after the project was finished, Sal was available to answer questions. We were so satisfied with "Under the Sun's" work that we asked them back soon after to replace our front fence as well!
Considering the superior level of service and craftsmanship we thought the pricing was reasonable and were extremely pleased with the whole process. We would definitely recommend Under the Sun and would certainly use their services again.

My whole hearted thanks for this wonderful review Marisa! You really went out of your way to list the details of the work done. And thank you for all your positive words. It was a true pleasure working with you. We were a great match I think, you were able to take a first sketch and really run with it. After some fine tuning, you were decisive and pulled together a plan of action. I love that you were after a truly organic aesthetic, certainly the highlights of this project for us was the curved deck cedar deck and the shed restoration with Green Living Roof to boot. I love that you were after details like a preferably salvaged/reclaimed window for the shed (in lieu of buying brand new materials). There is such a wealth of quality, character filled reclaimed building materials in this city, it is such a win win situation in my opinion when people choose to give new life to relics. Thank you for being a kind and easy going person. You even were sure to send project end gifts home with us! Much appreciated! (best wine I've had in a while too!)

We had Sal and his crew at Under the Sun completely transform our backyard last summer by putting in interlock, laying sod, and building a garden shed. Sal was extremely knowledgeable and gave us great advice on the design and maintenance of our new yard and his employees were also very helpful and professional. They were on time and on budget and we are very happy with their work. Definitely a 10 out of 10!

Thank you David for this excellent review! We really enjoyed working with you and your wife. Very easy to dialogue with and very clear in your preferences, makes the process a whole lot smoother. Also happy that we could find a positive way forward when there were details that needed resolving, such as on the finishing touches of the shed. Now spring is around the corner, and hopefully soon enough you'll be enjoying your newly transformed backyard!

An assisted review is collected by a contractor on behalf of the homeowner after their work is completed. The homeowner must confirm the text of the review and may make any changes she or he deems appropriate. The homeowner then assigns the contractor a review score out of 10. Assisted reviews receive the same scrutiny as other reviews and must follow our review guidelines.

Over 4 years ago

Thank you Under the Sun Ecological Landscaping, for a great job from myself and my neighbor for the work you did in our front yard, the side of our house and our backyard. The gentlemen working here were very courteous and professional.
I would definitely recommend you to anyone looking for any landscaping to be done. Here are some recent pictures I have taken.
Again thank you. I am looking forward to working with you in the future, I do have some more work to be done in the near future.
One last thing I have listened to stories from my friends that had contract work done. They have told me of situations where contractors would not show up on time, not have the work done when they said it would be done. I appreciate the fact that you were very professional, you showed up when you said you would and you finished the job in the amount of time you gave me.

Thank you Len for a great review. You really treated us well while we were on the job, inviting the guys to beverages and the like day after day. We really appreciated it. It was an interesting job in that we were taking on the design and makeover of two different properties - your own, and your neighbours - as a unit. I'm surprised we don't see more people embracing this concept, where the front properties so connected and continuous - as in your case. It opens the door to a cleaner overall design and general curb appeal for both front properties and at the same time saves both home owners money by hiring a landscaper to do both projects as one! I love it. After 2 years from the installation you have brought to my attention now that there has been some settling of bedding around the house. This is due to the foundation often having air pockets from water proofing work or recent construction. We will be by to relevel this area under our warranty free of charge. See you shortly and thanks again for the positive review!

I retained Under the Sun Landscaping to do some minor landscaping to my front yard. I was happy with the work by Under the Sun, so I decided to expand the work and do more than I originally planned. While not a major project for Under the Sun, they treated me like a valued customer. Sal came out promptly to provide me with an estimate, and while late in the season, Sal said that he would be able to complete the work before the cold weather set in . In fact they came and started and completed the work before they said they would.

I expected the work to be completed in a couple of days, but their workers, who were very polite and respectful of me and my property, stayed very late that day and finished the work that same day and the price charged was very reasonable.

I wanted a very organic look to the landscaping and Sal was very particular to make sure that the work was done in accordance with my vision. After the work was complete I decided to do one other small thing and Sal was great in attending to return and complete the added task promptly. He even charged me a discounted price to do the minor additional work.

I was very happy with the way in which Under the Sun dealt me and my project, was very happy with the result, and the ultimate price charged. I would recommend this company for landscaping work.

Thanks for the review Vasko! It was a relatively small job however nonetheless quite challenging. The larger armour stone were quite fun moving around by hand! I never like to bring in heavy machinery and risk marking up the ground to move a few heavy stones. Human power and silence is always preferred! I like your preference for natural stone. I think the armour stone raised bed is a great focal point for the front yard. I'll be curious to see what you plant there. Also the riverstone water feature is perfect for that spot, it is sure to create a welcoming and serene entry to the house. All the best to you and let us know if we can be of service in the future.

Under The Sun was referred to us by a close friend and having seen the work that was done for them, I was interested. I had called other companies, but for starters most didn't have the courtesy to call back...or the ones that did, never bothered to show up for the appointment. Sal, the owner, called me back promptly and followed through with an in-person meeting to discuss my project plans. Although the project had to be delayed with the extensive rainfall in the later part of the summer of 2013, the end result was worth the wait. Given the plants are very small at this early stage and have not begun to spread, etc., thus it's hard to grasp a true finished product, I am very pleased with the finished results. I will follow up with an updated review in 2014. Regardless, I was impressed with the quality of workmanship and dedication that Sal and his crew demonstrated whilst on the job. Although Sal was not on-site everyday, his crew as mentioned, worked till the end of each day with precision and dedication. Any mistakes, etc., were covered immediately and handled in a very professional manner. I would highly recommend Under The Sun for your landscaping projects, etc. Regards, Peter A.

I am very appreciative and touched by feedback and experiences like this one.
I have to be honest here and recognize that we were completely at fault for creating two annoyances/issues on this job. Again, mistakes that I take full responsibility for.
The important thing is that we were able to remedy the errors, earn back your trust and turn this project into a complete success. But equally important was your ability to forgive our mistakes and be left with only good things to say about us. I am truly impressed by your positive outlook and quality of character. I really appreciate your frankness and clarity in dealing with the issues when they came up. You even provided great suggestions for how to correct the issues.
You were kind with the workers and you went out of your way to take care of them and make them feel at home. We thank you for that.
Again, I really appreciate this review.
In terms of the work itself...
The site was a challenging one. Specifically due to a large Norway maple sucking up the nutrients and moisture out the surrounding soil. This was making it very difficult to maintain a decent lawn. This is a common problem in around Toronto, the city used to plant Norway maples everywhere (among other invasive species) and 50 years later property owners are dealing with the repercussions – lawns and gardens that simply will not flourish. The city has since learned from these mistakes and today plant native and / or less aggressive trees such as red maple – a fantastic alternative that does not devastate the soil.
So as I was saying, the Norway maple has created a very harsh environment (also thanks to allelopathy – it releases toxins into the surrounding soil). Because of this, we had to carefully choose plants that would be most likely to succeed in this shady, dry, acidic environment. Digging out the top inches of old soil and adding new triple mix was a must, even though usually I prefer to work with and improve the soil on hand.
Even still the limitation is that the Norway Maple will remain on site for many years to come and it will continue to suck out moisture from the garden. If you can ensure enough water through the next summer to the plants so that they can get well established, they will have a much better chance of long term success. You can always consider some level of irrigation, be it a sprinkler or an underground installation - to help you with the task if it is too time consuming. Once the plants are established, they will deal well with the adverse conditions – since they have all been selected for their drought tolerance and hardiness.
Other aspects of the job I think turned out beautifully: the armour stone / rock garden perimeter, the charcoal driveway frame to create an accent and the elegant lighting around the perimeter.
Again, it was a pleasure working with you Peter, and do let me know if there is anything we can help you with down the road.
All the best,
Sal.

10-star ratings are so common that they don't leave room to call out truly outstanding work. Sal and his team gave us a genuine 10/10 backyard and we couldn't be happier with the outcome or experience of working with them. Everyone who sees our backyard flips out.

Sal came in with a very competitive quote based on our general design. He checked in with us almost daily on design and construction details during the job and made sure we were in the loop at every turn. Despite an ambitious schedule and adverse weather, they finished on time and on budget. Support and service even after the job was completed has been above and beyond.

If you're looking to transform the outdoor space around your home and aren't sure what company to go with, we can't recommend Under the Sun highly enough.

Thank you for this wonderful review. I agree that your backyard landscaping project turned out beautifully. From the first time we met and you showed me your awesome vision on paper, I was absolutely sure that it would be a complete success and a pleasure to bring to reality.
Cedar raised deck wrapping around an ornamental cherry tree, cedar board walk, plantings interspaced by elegant modern screens, lawn surrounded by elegant interlock frame, and more.
I really appreciated and agreed fully with your sense of aesthetic and found it very easy to work with you both.
You were always a text message away, which enabled checking in whenever needed and definitely helped make every detail of the project a success.
I loved the design for the plantings along the board walk, spaced with elegant cedar screens, and then the lighting to accent. I also really liked the lawn framed by a cobblestone interlock border. The design truly made perfect use of your space. I hope you and S enjoy the space for many years to come and I look forward to seeing it evolve some time down the road.
Thank you for trusting us to build your dream landscape and for being so easy to work with.
And thanks again for taking the time to write a great review for us. Take care, all the best.

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

More about Under The Sun Ecological Landscaping

Under the Sun Ecological Landscaping is a full service Landscape Contractor and Design company providing design, installation and maintenance to the Greater Toronto Area. We specialize in ecological, chemical-free, organic landscaping including: organic gardens, carpentry and stone work.
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